Being Dormant

 If you look out in the garden right now,

unless you live somewhere very warm,

you probably see very little in the way of growth.

Now not to get too deep, 

but if you look inward,

it's probably quite similar.

We tend to go and go and go.

Busy, busy, busy.

Many don't give this much thought, 

but we need down time.

February is that time.

It's a time for us to be inside:

both in our homes because it's so cold out,

and in our souls.

I'm not a certified anything,

but I would venture to say,

"We need periods of dormancy if we are to grow."

It's part of the natural cycle of things.

I've seen quite a few folks showing pictures of their

little sproutlings getting ready for the garden.

While I do love seeing them and

I too have been looking at my seeds and planning,

there is a part of me that thinks,

"Wait, I'm not ready yet."

I need this time of dormancy.

The quiet before I get going with the daily chores

associated with taking care of baby plants

as they grow from infancy in their trays and pots

to graduating into the ground to later be harvested.

This isn't a very long post, 

and I think I'm writing it mostly for my own well-being,

but if you're not quite ready for the activities

and bustle of spring,

there is at least one other person out here.

I know by March, I will be ready.

But for now,

I'll stay within.

 

~*It Usually Works Out*~

Well, the New Year is already a month in.

How does that happen so quickly?

I would like to share a quirky little story

about something that happened to me recently.

~For any of those who are feeling stressed

or in doubt about a pressing matter

or uncertain about a decision to be made.~

I know that's a lot, but I do feel that many folks are struggling

with abnormal levels of pressure lately.

I will even name the incident.

The Spud Basket Incident

Shortly before Christmas, I was in a local thrift shop

looking for something particular.

While there, I saw this wonderfully made, nice quality

and very large basket.

It was probably three feet tall and almost as big around.

It was in great condition and the kicker was,

it was marked at $17.

Wowza!

I wasn't there for a basket.

The first thing that comes to mind with a basket of that size,

of course is a laundry basket.

I already have very nice laundry baskets

that I very much appreciate.

I walked away from that basket.

It wasn't something I needed at the time, and I couldn't think of 

an immediate use for it.

(first strike)

Now that basket sorta haunted my mind for a day or two.

It really was remarkable and a great bargain.

I decided to give it to God as the saying goes.

I thought finally what a nice potato basket it would be.

How many spuds could a basket that size hold?

How many spuds do we eat each year?

That seems like a lot of spuds.

Where could I put a basket of spuds that size?

With spuds in mind, I thought if I went back and it was there,

I would get it.

If it wasn't there, then I wasn't meant to have it at this time.

So Monday morning, I went back.

That's when I discovered they were closed on Mondays.

At that point, I counted it as a second strike.

I went back again on Tuesday.

You can probably guess by now, the basket was gone.

(Strike three)

I knew it was fine and accepted that I wasn't meant to have it.

But to be quite honest,

I was pretty deflated.

Yes, I know.

It sounds absolutely ridiculous - it's just a basket after all.

Go ahead and roll your eyes - I understand.

However, the idea of a basket for our spuds still lingered.

I went about preparing for Christmas.

As I was walking in the spare room for some wrapping paper one day,

I saw it.

You might as well roll your eyes again because here it is.

I had a basket.

Wait. . . what?

It's sturdy with a wire frame and well made.

It has handles for moving and is a much more realistic size.

My mom had given me my baby blankets and clothes

and not knowing what to do with them,

I stuffed them in the basket.

I had purchased the basket because it was so sturdy and a good price.

(Yes, I evidently have a weakness for good baskets.)

I dumped those blankets on the spare bed to deal with later

and examined the basket.

It was perfect!

I didn't have time to make a proper liner for it right then 

as we were heading right into Christmas with plenty to do on that front.

But I did get to it shortly thereafter.

I made a liner of a good quality muslin.

I've not yet made a "lid" or cover for the top,

but I have our spuds in their basket and use them as needed.

It's working wonderfully.

Had I caved and bought that giant basket on impulse,

I would have a great big basket with a small amount of spuds in the bottom

or be tripping on it in our little house, or who knows what else.

It was a really good reminder of how 

even if I want something and don't get it - 

something else better is apt to show itself.

See, it's really not about a basket.

I needed the reminder,

because like many others,

I've had stresses weighing on me too.

That silly spud basket lifted a little weight from my shoulders

by knowing I don't have to have everything figured out all the time.

Trusting that it will all work out is often easier said than done.

Whatever giant basket is haunting your mind,

just know something better will present itself

and that it usually works out.

And with that,

I hope, dear friends, you have a splendid day~ 

Simple Traditions

 Good Morning Dear Friends

We have been busy as ever 

as I am sure many are this time of year.

For many in the trades,

 work seems to slow down about now through spring.

That's not happened for us since opening the business.

Though a bit of a break would be nice at times,

it truly is a blessing to have the work.

(This is the one for our friends.)

Every year, we go get our Christmas tree

about a week to week and a half before Christmas.

We put real candles on the tree

so there is no way we could have a month old tree

and not have a fire hazard.

Also, I'm not sure I could handle a tree in the house

for that length of time.

It always feels nice and clean when it all comes down

and is put away for another year.

(A clear beautiful day.)

It has been cloudy and foggy here for the past couple weeks.

When we headed up the mountain to our usual place,

we broke through the clouds and were greeted with

wonderful bright sunshine.

Up on top where we stop and begin hiking,

it was 16*.

The chill felt good along with the prospect of an 

evergreen to liven up our living room.

We found one for us and one for some friends

who have 2 little ones and weren't able to go get one.

Once we find the tree(s) and make it back to the rig,

we have "real" hot chocky waiting for us.

It's a welcome treat after trekking through the snow.

It doesn't take very long walking in the snow

to get the heart rate up.

(Especially if you have short legs like me 😊) 

This year someone had left about a 3' base section of their tree

which I dragged back to use as bows around the house.

It smells so good!

We now have the tree in the house and as decorated

as it's going to get.

(Done)

We don't worry about perfect décor or the perfect shape.

That's not what it's all about.

We have made this journey every year for ages

and don't see an end to it any time soon.

It's these little acts or traditions if you will.

That's part of what makes us reliable.

Our children can depend upon certain things,

and that helps create stability.

For young and old alike,

we like the things we can depend on.

It doesn't have to be anything big or extravagant.

It's often the simple things that mean the most.

(So much help.)

Wishing each of you

a Merry Christmas

and a blessed New Year.

A Little Stitchin' Time

 I've been working in the fun room.

It been a game of sorting and nixing and did I mention sorting?

I began a pinwheel quilt-top last spring.

I had the pinwheels arranged on the floor.

And there they sat. . . 

all summer!

The garden happened, and that was all there was to it.

Then the garden ran late~

Finally, during the past couple weeks,

I've been able to get back to it.

I finished the quilt-top.

I have to finish the quilt I'm quilting now

which is taking forever.

Then I have another one in front of it,

then I can get to this one.

(before the borders)

As I have been stitching,

I have also been trying to go through things 

and do what I like to call "editing."

I have done plenty of good ol' organizing,

and I have a stack of things to go to donation.

In addition to that, I've been trying to think

of projects to "use up" some fabric.

One of the things I've wanted to do for a long time

is make new ironing board covers.

I have two ironing boards - both vintage/antique.

The covers on both were in dire condition.

The larger board, I use for shirts and household ironing.

The smaller board, I like by my quilting 

for pressing blocks and quilt pieces.

I figured I would make a new cover for the smaller one.

So I gathered some fabric and set out to work.

Well, I didn't feel like measuring and thought I could just wing it.

I thought wrong.

Cheater cheater Punkin eater - never pays.

In this case, it was too big so I went ahead 

and put it on the larger board.

It worked fine but then I still had the smaller board to cover.

Back at it but this time I measured like a good girl.

It looks more "wine" colored than it really is.

Both work great and it cleans up the room that much more

having a couple more pieces of fabric out of the stash

and not having ratty looking ironing boards around.

It's funny how something so simple can render a sense of accomplishment and pleasure in using it.

It's nice to move back indoors for the winter.

Our first flakes fell this morning.

Nothing sticking and I still had to go to work,

but enjoyable to see nonetheless.

By February we will be singing a different tune.

But for now~

the first snowfall is cause for celebration.

Keep well and warm dear friends.